In Conversation with Sébastian Vivas, Heritage & Museum Director, Audemars Piguet

Sébastian Vivas, the affable award-winning horology historian tasked with bringing the Audemars Piguet legacy to the world, is a man of manifold talents. Adept at the piano, keen home horticulturist, loving father and a pretty competent handyman too, his true passion is delving into the fascinating history of watchmaking and the myriad paths which it has traversed over the centuries. He spoke to The Luxury Collection about his role as Heritage and Museum Director, what keeps him motivated and his perspectives on the future of luxury watchmaking.

Tell us a little about yourself and your role at Audemars Piguet.

I was born in Switzerland, in the small city of Neuchâtel. I discovered watchmaking when I worked as a documentalist in the Musée International d’Horlogerie of La Chaux-de-Fonds, which owns the world’s largest library dedicated to the history of time, while pursuing my Master’s in Modern History at the University of Neuchâtel.

Subsequently, I spent 10 exciting years at Jaeger-LeCoultre as Heritage Director, studying and communicating the history of the oldest Manufacture of the Vallée de Joux. In 2012, I moved five kilometers away… to Le Brassus where I joined Audemars Piguet to replace Mr. Martin K. Wehrli, who was retiring after 42 years in the company, as the Heritage and Museum Director.

What motivates you to outdo yourself every day?

I love working on multiple projects involving different people, including watchmakers, cabinetmakers, collectors, artists, architects, graphic designers, light engineers, museographers, digital specialists, publishers, journalists, guides, filmmakers… all animated by the same energy to create something extraordinary.

I find it highly motivating to see how an idea transforms into reality, thanks to people’s enriching input and collaboration. But what fuels my motivation every day is the positive energy given by our clients, collectors, and brand aficionados, when they discover and enjoy our projects and especially our watches. This is the best reward.